NEW YORK –– A New York jury has reached a defense verdict in a mesothelioma case involving commercial kitchen equipment, finding that lone remaining defendant ITW Food Equipment Group was not liable for the plaintiff’s mesothelioma.

The New York Supreme Court for New York County jury reached its verdict on Feb. 15 at the conclusion of a seven-week trial. Trial began on Jan. 5 against ITW. Judge Cynthia S. Kern presided over the trial.

Plaintiff Dario Battistoni asserted the underlying claims, contending that he was exposed to asbestos fibers in commercial kitchen equipment manufactured by Hobart and Traulsen that he ...